31' Express- need advice fast!

[GaryNW]

It showed up in the local paper- no way was I in the market- now I want it! Is in YW in Everett, Wa (I can't seem to copy a link). Saw it today and it is a gem. It has transferable covered moorage in the pole position @ $340/month.

Gasser w/big blocks and original glass tank. The owner (28 years) says he has never heard of the ethonal issue and I believe him. Interesting that he is insured with BoatUS but hasn't received any correspondence on the tank issue.

I would repower with diesels within a few years.
Questions:
1) Can a visual with a borscope or similar tell me if the tank is still good? I noted that there is ample room to intall additional tanks. What if I purged and cleaned the Hatt tank and then put it out of service until the repower? I am sure I could get at least (100) gallons of off-the-shelf poly tanks outboard in lazzerett area. They could serve as long range aux tanks after the repower.
2) What diesels (if any) could give me 25 kts with existing shaft dia , existing exhaust dia and existing seawater dia? I did not note existing dia, but she came from factory with the 330's.
3) I believe a member recently did such a repower. Can't find it with the search function.
4) I believe a member also recently went with a 150 gal alum replacement on one of the 31' models. Can't find that either.
5) Am I correct in thinking such a repower should be in the 55-60K price range?

Please expedite your reponses. I might make this happen this W.E. Would hate to see this one go to a guy that really needs a Bayliner!

Gary

 

[rswirtz]

Looks like a clean boat, and great price. I wonder where the LP tank is stored for that stove? here is the link -

http://yachtworld.com/core/listing/...0&n=68%3A1%3A62400%3A72173%3A1379&searchtype=

 

[ADaily3224]

Gary,

I think you are speaking of a 32 not a 31, Hatteras made two models, an express and a flybridge. Anyway the fellow who just finished a re-power, and there is an extensive thread is Jackman, he has a post just above yours. You may want to contact him.

Tony D

 

[GaryNW]

It's the 31'- I printed up the brochure's from Sam's library as well as a Yachting article. Looks like they were built May 75' till July 76' and introduced just a little after the 31' SC. I think the 31' EP looks better than the 31' SP. 32's were later. He put a propane locker under the flybridge seat- looks like a good place on this model.
Machinery spaces look as good as rest of the boat. He painted them with Sterling.
Additional question: Owner is convinced he has gelcoat and not LP paint. Did Hatt do this on some models?
Gary

 

[ADaily3224]

Sorry, my mistake, I didn't remember the model you were talking about. Most of the information on the forum has been about the popular mid 80's 32. Sure looks like a nice buy though.

Tony D

 

[Genesis]

Good thing that boat's out on the West Coast or I'd sneak in under 'ya and it'd be MINE MINE MINE!

 

[GaryNW]

Too late Karl! We went for a spin this am and I said consider it sold. The good news- after I brought up the issue, the PO called the fuel dock and they said no ethanol has been in their fuel. After the spin, I walked over to the fuel dock and questioned them myself (I also looked over the pumps and sniffed for the odor). This boat has not seen the evil fuel! The bad news-$3.31/gal. I just paid $2.75 for my trailer boat fill-up. All other land stations in my burb' were at $2.93 and up. That $2.75 place is busy! Hey, I didn't really want new clothes anyway.

Lots of spares incl props (look new), shafts his fishing gear etc etc etc. He is getting out of boating due to bad knee, loss of fishing buddies and competing interests. They are snowbirds and head south all winter in their diesel pusher.

For (17) years in a row, he and four buds cruised from Everett to west side of Vancouver Is to fish salmon. Trolled on one of the big blocks. I know they had to see some seas doing the whole of the Straights of Juan De Fuca and into the Pacific. He says the Hatt never gave them reason to worry. Usually proceeded at 25kts. Nice to have 5 guys paying for gas.

Will schedule haulout and survey for next week.

Gary

 

[rswirtz]

Congratulations Gary !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Cool Deal

 

[rswirtz]

BTW, I have those engines, they are 350hp, not 330 as said on YW.

 

[GaryNW]

That might explain the performance. We were 30 kts @ 3000 rpm- this is a rocket! I need 4000 rpm for 30 kts on my 22' Seasport w/350 gm VP duo prop and it tops at 37 kts with (4) adults and full fuel. Now, I don't want anyone telling me how much fuel we were using for that 30 kts.

Sorry to bore but I gotta tell you. In March I was contacted about 20 acres of raw land I owned in eastern wa. Had it for 13 years and hadn't been there in 10 years. Sold it for 40K (did ok). And then this Hatt shows @ 40K. I have been having that kind of year! Probably should buy a lotto ticket.

Still can't believe a 75 vintage Hatt with same owner since 80 that has never had a radar, windless, genset or heating system installed. There is no bogus wiring to rip out; has the factory wiring for windless and genset still waiting for me. This guy was a fisherman (why you go to outside of Vancouver Is.) and did not care about impressing his dockmates with gadgetry. Perfect! I get to choose all the gadgets.
Gary

 

[Jackman]

Gee, that's a pretty good clip (speed) for that boat with gassers. I saw the add an the engines look in pretty good shape (not too old with fuel injection) you should be able to sell them with the change to diesel.

Good Luck!

 

[jim rosenthal]

Good for you!! post photos if you can, always like to see another clean old Hatteras.

 

[rswirtz]

Heck, why repower, it sounds like the engines are doing great? Seems like you would add weight, lose speed, not to mention the bucks. When, if, ethanol gets there, then that may be another story.

Man, love the dock. Spider heaven, but I envy you out of the sun and rain and at a much cheaper price than I pay. Had those comforts once up north of St Louis on the ole Mississippi.

 

[GaryNW]

Yes, since they run great I believe I will stick with them until the evil ethanol arrives. I will not allow the tank to see that stuff. If it shows up suddenly, I will install some poly tanks and then immediately pursue the repower.

I see Hatt used Cat 3160's (208 hp) as the diesels. Per Cat website this was later renamed 3208 which were built until 2002. So what about fresh rebuilt 3208n's when the time comes? These are real common around here as Tollycraft was really into them. I would have a lot of local knowledge. Think she would do 30kts?
Gary

 

[Capt.Erich]

Yes, since they run great I believe I will stick with them until the evil ethanol arrives. I will not allow the tank to see that stuff. If it shows up suddenly, I will install some poly tanks and then immediately pursue the repower.

I see Hatt used Cat 3160's (208 hp) as the diesels. Per Cat website this was later renamed 3208 which were built until 2002. So what about fresh rebuilt 3208n's when the time comes? These are real common around here as Tollycraft was really into them. I would have a lot of local knowledge. Think she would do 30kts?
Gary

3208's would be a lot of engine for that hull. The 6 cyl Cummins might be a better choice or even Yanmars. 30 knots is possible but it might be a little squirly.

The fact of the matter about repowering with diesel is to weigh out all the factors before sinking too much money into it. I have a 34 Sportcruiser that I would love to have diesels in but it just didn't make a lot of sense. I'd have to drop about $75K or more (reman Cummins, new tanks, exaust, etc.) into a boat that would be at the extreme end of the market. In the end, I went with rebuilt Crusaider 454’s. This was the best gas engine I could get for a reasnable price and keeps the boat in a good resale price range.

 

[GaryNW]

Update! It's all mine now. Still can't believe it considering that if you had asked me two months ago what type boat I would never own I would have said express cruiser. Well, the 31' Hatteras Express Cruiser has none of the stupid design elements we have come to associate with the modern express cruiser. She has full walk around side decks, lower station huge and fully protected front, top and sides with fiberglass and glass- no canvas to maintain and replace.
The highlights:
On first extensive sea trial since ownership: with full fuel and water and 700 lbs of people- 35 kts @ 3800 rpm! 2' chop, 10-15 kts wind. Per onboard manuals, these Marine Power 454's are rated at only 320 shp. Is this boat fast or what! Now that temps, pressures etc are checked out, I will remove the blocks on the throttles to make sure it will make WOT rpm (about 4500). I am sure speed will top 40 kts.

Fishability test: killed one engine and idle other to check tracking and speed.
No problem steering going into 15kts wind and 2' chop. I was pleased. Speed a little fast for some species of salmon- about 2 kts into wind which will probably be more like 3.5 downwind. Engine only turning about 550 rpm. Good news is that BW Velvet drives are fine to freewheel so I am good to troll all day with the shaft slow-turning. Further good news- the PSS seals are also fine without water lube at slow turn.

Never seen a boat so well engineered from a maintenance standpoint. Good access to everything. With no optional genset (I don't need AC so will never have one), you can lay in the lazzerette to work rudder glands etc. I believe I actually caught a cat nap while replacing a blower.

Surveyor was well worth the $450. He found open circuit from fuel fill plate to ground. A wire corroded off terminal at tank. Blistering minor and scattered- I did nothing with them at this haulout. Some tabbing broke loose from hull, mostly on flats but a little on bulkheads. This will be fairly easy in-the-water repair (again, the great access).

I have a lot more to say, but I must go eat. I have been forgetting to do even that since buying this boat! Bottom line, it may be a baby but there is no mistaking this for anything but a Hatteras. Very well engineered and built, organized plumbing and wiring, top quality hardware and just beautifull woodwork in the interior. And one day soon, I will set up my computer that will actually support my digital camera so I can send pictures.

Gary

 

[MarioG]

Congratulations! of course, you said it best "it's a Hatteras" enough said!!!